Single use laryngoscope handle for use in dual component laryngoscope assembly

ABSTRACT

Single use laryngoscope handle for use in an ISO 7376 compatible dual component laryngoscope assembly with an illumination arrangement. The laryngoscope handle includes a plastic hand grip, a plastic end cap, and at least one plastic frangible member for engaging a hand grip and an end cap in a pre-actuated position of an end cap which is broken on application of a relatively minor manual detachment force to the end cap, thereby precluding subsequent use of the laryngoscope handle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/417,498, filed Jan. 26, 2015, which is a National Stage Entry ofInternational Patent Application No. PCT/IL2014/050745, filed Aug. 20,2014, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/873,244, filed Sep. 3, 2013. The contents of each of theseapplications are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to laryngoscope assemblies in general andlaryngoscope handles in particular.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

ISO 7376 standardizes dual component laryngoscope assemblies including aremovable double snap fit engagement of a laryngoscope blade into anoperative intubation position on a laryngoscope handle. Dual componentlaryngoscope assemblies preferably include an illumination arrangementfor facilitating an intubation. ISO compatible dual componentlaryngoscope assemblies can be classified into two types as follows:

First, a more recent so-called green type including a laryngoscopehandle having a power source, an illumination source and a switchingarrangement for selectively powering the illumination source in anoperative intubation position of a laryngoscope blade. And second, aconventional type including a laryngoscope handle with a power sourceand a laryngoscope blade with an illumination source powered by thepower source in an operative intubation position of the laryngoscopeblade on the laryngoscope handle.

Such laryngoscope handles typically have sturdy metal constructionsdesigned for sterilization between uses. However, sterilization isregarded as a relatively complicated, costly and time consumingprocedure. Therefore there is a need for low cost laryngoscope handlesdesigned to become inoperable after their intended single use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed toward single use laryngoscope handlesfor use in ISO 7376 compatible dual component laryngoscope assemblieswith an illumination arrangement. The single use laryngoscope handlesinclude low cost plastic components including inter alia a plastic handgrip and a plastic end cap. The single use laryngoscope handles of thepresent invention are designed to satisfy two opposing use requirementsas follows. On the one hand, an end cap is required to be sufficientlysecurely mounted on a hand grip to support the weight of a power sourceassembly in an upright handle position of a laryngoscope handle. And onthe other hand, an end cap is required to be detached from a hand gripby application of a relatively minor manual detachment force which canbe readily applied by a clinical user without the need for a separatetool to assist him such that an end cap cannot be re-attached onto ahand grip in a secure manner to satisfy the first requirement, therebyensuring the laryngoscope handle is a single use medical device.

To satisfy these two opposing use requirements, the laryngoscope handlesof the present invention include at least one plastic frangible memberfor engaging a hand grip and an end cap in a pre-actuated position of anend cap which is broken on application of a relatively minor manualdetachment force to the end cap, thereby precluding subsequent use ofthe laryngoscope handle. Such actuation of an end cap leads to itsdetachment from a hand grip which in turn leads to a power sourceassembly contained in the hand grip to readily downwardly and outwardlyslide therefrom by gravitational force in an upright handle orientation.Actuation of an end cap for detachment from a hand grip can be by way ofa combined rotation of an end cap relative to a hand grip and asubsequent longitudinal directed force away from the hand grip.Alternatively, actuation can be by way of a longitudinal directed forceonly away from the hand grip. The single use laryngoscope handles of thepresent invention also afford that the plastic hand grip and end capcomponents can be readily separated from power source assemblies forrecycling purposes, and the like.

Single use laryngoscope handles in accordance with the present inventioncan be designed for use in hitherto described green type laryngoscopeassemblies including either single use or multiple use laryngoscopeblades. Exemplary single use laryngoscope blades are disclosed in interalia commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 7,736,304 to Pecherer entitled MetalLaryngoscope Blade, and the like.

Alternatively, single use laryngoscope handles in accordance with thepresent invention can be designed for use in hitherto describedconventional laryngoscope assemblies including either single use ormultiple use laryngoscope blades. Exemplary single use laryngoscopeblades are disclosed in inter alia commonly owned U.S. Pat. No.5,879,304 to Shuchman et al. entitled Single Use Laryngoscope Blade,commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 8,142,353 to Pecherer et al. entitled MetalLaryngoscope Blade with Illumination Assembly, and the like. Exemplarymultiple use laryngoscope blades are disclosed in inter alia commonlyowned U.S. Pat. No. 6,719,888 to Pecherer et al. entitled Light GuideMount For Use in a Laryngoscope, and the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In order to understand the invention and to see how it can be carriedout in practice, preferred embodiments will now be described, by way ofnon-limiting examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawingsin which similar parts are likewise numbered, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a dissembled ISO 7376 so-calledgreen laryngoscope assembly including a conventional laryngoscope bladeand a preferred embodiment of a single use laryngoscope handle inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of FIG. 1's laryngoscope handle;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross section of FIG. 1's laryngoscope handlealong line A-A in FIG. 1 in a non-illuminating state;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross section of FIG. 1's laryngoscope handlealong line A-A in FIG. 1 in an illuminating state;

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of FIG. 1's laryngoscope handle in anupright handle orientation after actuation; and

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a dissembled ISO 7376 conventionallaryngoscope assembly including a conventional laryngoscope blade withan electrically operated illumination source and another preferredembodiment of a single use laryngoscope handle in accordance with thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a dissembled ISO 7376 compatible laryngoscopeassembly 10 including a single use laryngoscope handle 11 having alongitudinal handle axis 12 in an upright handle orientation. Thelaryngoscope assembly 10 includes a conventional metal or plasticlaryngoscope blade 13 for a conventional dual snap fit engagement on thelaryngoscope handle 11 into an operative intubation position generallytransverse to the laryngoscope handle 11. The laryngoscope blade 13 canbe intended for single use or designed for sterilization for multipleuses.

The laryngoscope blade 13 includes a spatula 14 with a proximal spatulaend 16 and a distal spatula end 17 correspondingly adjacent to andremote from the laryngoscope handle 11 in its operative intubationposition. The proximal spatula end 16 includes a standard blade hookarrangement 18 having a leading hook 19 and a pair of trailing outwarddirected spring loaded protrusions 21.

The laryngoscope assembly 10 includes an illumination arrangement 22 forproviding illumination at the distal spatula end 17 in the operativeintubation position. The illumination arrangement 22 includes a lightguide 23 mounted on the laryngoscope blade 13 and extending from theproximal spatula end 16 to the distal spatula end 17 for conveying lightfrom a proximal light guide end 23A to a distal light guide end 23B.

The laryngoscope handle 11 includes an elongated tubular plastic handgrip 24 having a leading hand grip end 26 and a trailing hand grip end27. The leading hand grip end 26 is above the trailing hand grip end 27in the upright handle orientation. The leading hand grip end 26 includesa transverse top wall 28 formed with a throughgoing aperture 29 alongthe longitudinal handle axis 12. The leading hand grip end 26 is formedwith a standard handle hook arrangement 31 including a metal pin rod 32on which the leading hook 19 is snap fitted thereon and a pair ofopposite indents 33 remote from the metal pin rod 32 for snap fitreceiving the pair of trailing outward directed spring loadedprotrusions 21.

The laryngoscope handle 11 includes a power source assembly compartment34 between the leading hand grip end 26 and the trailing hand grip end27 for storing a power source assembly 36. The power source assembly 36includes a plastic housing 37 having a leading housing end 38 and atrailing housing end 39. The plastic housing 37 stores three standardAAA batteries 41 with their positive terminals 42 towards the leadinghousing end 38 and their negative terminals 43 towards the trailinghousing end 39. The leading housing end 38 is formed with a centralterminal 44 in continuous electrical contact with the positive terminals42. The leading housing end 38 is formed with an annular terminal 46encircling the central terminal 44 and electrically isolated therefrom.The annular terminal 46 is in continuous electrical contact with thenegative terminals 43 by an axial directed metal strip 47 extending fromthe annular terminal 46 to a metal plate 47A in electrical contact withthe negative terminals 43.

The illumination arrangement 22 includes a LED housing 48 protrudingthrough the throughgoing aperture 29 to be disposed above the transversetop wall 28 prior to double snap fit engagement of the laryngoscopeblade 13 on the laryngoscope handle 11. The LED housing 48 includes aLED 49 with two LED terminals MA and MB. The LED terminal MA is inelectrical contact with a central terminal cap 52 for selectiveelectrical contact with the central terminal 44. The LED terminal 51B isin electrical contact with a metal spring 53 in continuous electricalcontact with the annular terminal 46.

FIG. 3 shows the spring 53 biases the central terminal cap 52 away fromthe central terminal 44. FIG. 4 shows on double snap fit engagement ofthe laryngoscope blade 13 on the laryngoscope handle 11, thelaryngoscope blade 11 imparts a downward force denoted by arrow A forovercoming the spring 53 such that the terminal cap 52 is in electricalcontact with the central terminal 44 for operating the LED 49 forconveying light through the light guide 23 to the distal spatula end 17.

The laryngoscope handle 11 includes a plastic end cap 54 forinterference fit mounting on the trailing hand grip end 27 in apre-actuated position. The plastic end cap 54 includes a transverse endplate 56 and an upright end wall 57 for sliding mounting on a lowermostend 27A of the trailing hand grip end 27. The end plate 56 is formedwith an axial directed central support member 58 for supporting thepower source assembly 36 in the power source assembly compartment 34 atthe leading hand grip end 26 in a pre-actuated position. The end plate56 is also formed with a pair of opposite axial directed plasticfrangible members 59 facing radial outward from the support member 58for snug snap fit insertion into a pair of opposite throughgoingapertures 61 formed in the trailing hand grip end 27's lowermost end 27Asuch that the end cap 54 engages the trailing hand grip end 27. Thefrangible member pair 59 protrudes into the opposite throughgoingaperture pair 61 to abut against the upright end wall 57.

The end cap 54 includes a tubular cap ring 62 disposed between theupright support member 58 and the frangible member pair 59. The cap ring62 is dimensioned heightwise such that its top surface 62A issubstantially flush with the top surfaces 59A of the frangible memberpair 59. The cap ring 62 traps the frangible member pair 59 in theirintended throughgoing aperture pair 61 for their intentional snappingduring actuation of the end cap 54 and not sliding out from thethroughgoing apertures 61.

FIG. 5 shows the manual actuation of the end cap 54 to preclude thelaryngoscope handle 11 being re-used after an intended single useinvolves a combined user action of rotation denoted by arrow B to breakthe frangible member pair 59 and a subsequent longitudinal directedforce denoted by arrow C to detach the end cap 54 from the trailing handgrip end 27. FIG. 5 also shows the frangible member pair 59 is snappedfrom the end plate 56 close to their junctures therewith. Consequently,the power source assembly 36 readily slides downwardly and outwardlyfrom the trailing hand grip end 27 under gravitational force in theupright handle orientation. In the absence of the frangible member pair59, re-attachment of the end cap 54 to the hand grip 24 will not providea sufficient interference fitting to support the weight of the powersource assembly 36 in the laryngoscope handle 11 in the upright handleorientation.

FIG. 6 shows a dissembled conventional laryngoscope assembly 80 similarin construction and operation as the conventional laryngoscope assembly10. The former 80 differs from the latter 10 insofar as the former 80has an illumination arrangement 22 in which the LED 49 is disposed atthe distal spatula end 17 and includes wires (not shown) for connectingthe LED terminals 51A and 51B to the central terminal 44 and the annularterminal 46.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited numberof embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations,modifications, and other applications of the invention can be madewithin the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A single use laryngoscope handle comprising: ahand grip having a leading hand grip end and a trailing hand grip end,the leading hand grip end configured to releasably connect to alaryngoscope blade; a power source assembly compartment between theleading hand grip end and the trailing hand grip end, the power sourceassembly compartment configured to store a power source assembly; an endcap including an end plate and an upright end wall configured toslidingly mount on a lowermost end of the trailing hand grip end; and atleast one frangible member extending from the end plate and configuredfor snap fit insertion into a respective aperture in the lowermost endof the trailing hand grip end such that the end cap engages the trailinghand grip end in a pre-actuated position; where the at least onefrangible member is configured to protrude into the respective apertureand abut against the upright end wall in the pre-actuated position,where rotation of the end cap breaks the at least one frangible membersuch that the end cap disengages the trailing hand grip end in anactuated position, and where a subsequent longitudinally directed forcedetaches the end cap from the trailing hand grip end causing the powersource assembly to slide out from the trailing hand grip end to precludere-use of the laryngoscope handle.
 2. The laryngoscope handle of claim1, wherein the end cap is mounted on the trailing hand grip end in thepre-actuated position by an interference fit.
 3. The laryngoscope handleof claim 1, wherein the at least one frangible member includes a portionfacing radially outward for snap fit insertion into the respectiveaperture.
 4. The laryngoscope handle of claim 1, further comprising asupport member extending from the end plate for supporting the powersource assembly in the power source assembly compartment at the leadinghand grip end in the pre-actuated position.
 5. The laryngoscope handleof claim 4, further comprising a cap ring between the support member andthe at least one frangible member.
 6. The laryngoscope handle of claim5, wherein the cap ring is configured to trap the at least one frangiblemember in the respective aperture for snapping during actuation of theend cap and preventing the at least one frangible member from slidingout from the respective aperture.
 7. The laryngoscope handle of claim 5,wherein a top surface of the cap ring is substantially flush with a topsurface of the at least one frangible member.
 8. The laryngoscope handleof claim 1, wherein the leading hand grip end comprises a handle hookarrangement including a pin rod configured to engage a leading hook ofthe laryngoscope blade.
 9. The laryngoscope handle of claim 8, whereinthe leading hand grip end further comprises a pair of opposite indentsremote from the pin rod and configured to snap fit receive a pair oftrailing outwardly directed spring loaded protrusions of thelaryngoscope blade.
 10. The laryngoscope handle of claim 9, wherein theleading hand grip end further includes a transverse top wall having athroughgoing aperture along a longitudinal handle axis.
 11. Thelaryngoscope handle of claim 10, further comprising an illuminationarrangement including a light source housing configured to protrudethrough the throughgoing aperture and be disposed above the transversetop wall prior to engagement of the laryngoscope blade on thelaryngoscope handle.
 12. A laryngoscope handle comprising: a hand griphaving a leading hand grip end and a trailing hand grip end, the leadinghand grip end configured to releasably connect to a laryngoscope blade,and where the leading hand grip end includes a transverse top wallhaving a throughgoing aperture; a power source assembly including ahousing having a leading housing end and a trailing housing end; a powersource assembly compartment between the leading hand grip end and thetrailing hand grip end, the power source assembly compartment configuredto receive the power source assembly; an end cap including an end plateand an upright end wall configured to slidingly mount on a lowermost endof the trailing hand grip end; and a connection member extending fromthe end plate and configured to engage the trailing hand grip end in apre-actuated position, where rotation of the end cap disengages theconnection member from the trailing hand grip end in an actuatedposition; and an illumination arrangement including an LED housingconfigured to protrude through the throughgoing aperture and be disposedabove the transverse top wall when the laryngoscope blade is connectedto the leading hand grip end.
 13. The laryngoscope handle according toclaim 12, wherein the connection member is configured for snap fitinsertion into a respective aperture in the lowermost end of thetrailing hand grip end in the pre-actuated position.
 14. Thelaryngoscope handle according to claim 12, further comprising a supportmember extending from the end plate and configured to support the powersource assembly in the power source assembly compartment at the leadinghand grip end in the pre-actuated position.
 15. The laryngoscope handleaccording to claim 12, wherein the leading housing end includes acentral terminal and an annular terminal, the annular terminalelectrically isolated from and encircling the central terminal.
 16. Thelaryngoscope handle according to claim 15, wherein the trailing housingend includes a metal plate.
 17. The laryngoscope handle according toclaim 16, wherein the housing of the power source assembly furtherincludes a metal strip extending from the annular terminal to the metalplate.
 18. A single use laryngoscope handle comprising: a hand griphaving a leading hand grip end and a trailing hand grip end, the leadinghand grip end configured to releasably connect to a laryngoscope blade;a power source assembly compartment between the leading hand grip endand the trailing hand grip end, the power source assembly compartmentconfigured to store a power source assembly; an end cap including an endplate and an upright end wall configured to slidingly mount on alowermost end of the trailing hand grip end; at least one frangiblemember extending from the end plate and configured for snap fitinsertion into a respective aperture in the lowermost end of thetrailing hand grip end such that the end cap engages the trailing handgrip end in a pre-actuated position; a support member extending from theend plate for supporting the power source assembly in the power sourceassembly compartment at the leading hand grip end in the pre-actuatedposition; and a cap ring between the support member and the at least onefrangible member; where rotation of the end cap breaks the at least onefrangible member such that the end cap disengages the trailing hand gripend in an actuated position, and where a subsequent longitudinallydirected force detaches the end cap from the trailing hand grip endcausing the power source assembly to slide out from the trailing handgrip end to preclude re-use of the laryngoscope handle.
 19. Thelaryngoscope handle of claim 18, wherein the cap ring is configured totrap the at least one frangible member in the respective aperture forsnapping during actuation of the end cap and preventing the at least onefrangible member from sliding out from the respective aperture.
 20. Asingle use laryngoscope handle comprising: a hand grip having a leadinghand grip end and a trailing hand grip end, the leading hand grip endcomprising a handle hook arrangement including a pin rod configured toengage a leading hook of the laryngoscope blade, a pair of oppositeindents remote from the pin rod and configured to snap fit receive apair of trailing outwardly directed spring loaded protrusions of thelaryngoscope blade, and a transverse top wall having a throughgoingaperture along a longitudinal handle axis; a power source assemblycompartment between the leading hand grip end and the trailing hand gripend, the power source assembly compartment configured to store a powersource assembly; an end cap including an end plate and an upright endwall configured to slidingly mount on a lowermost end of the trailinghand grip end; and at least one frangible member extending from the endplate and configured for snap fit insertion into a respective aperturein the lowermost end of the trailing hand grip end such that the end capengages the trailing hand grip end in a pre-actuated position; whererotation of the end cap breaks the at least one frangible member suchthat the end cap disengages the trailing hand grip end in an actuatedposition, and where a subsequent longitudinally directed force detachesthe end cap from the trailing hand grip end causing the power sourceassembly to slide out from the trailing hand grip end to preclude re-useof the laryngoscope handle.
 21. The laryngoscope handle of claim 20,further comprising a support member extending from the end plate forsupporting the power source assembly in the power source assemblycompartment at the leading hand grip end in the pre-actuated position.22. The laryngoscope handle of claim 21, further comprising a cap ringbetween the support member and the at least one frangible member, thecap ring configured to trap the at least one frangible member in therespective aperture for snapping during actuation of the end cap andpreventing the at least one frangible member from sliding out from therespective aperture.
 23. The laryngoscope handle of claim 20, furthercomprising an illumination arrangement including a light source housingconfigured to protrude through the throughgoing aperture and be disposedabove the transverse top wall prior to engagement of the laryngoscopeblade on the laryngoscope handle.